Tories plan to keep Clegg out of key role in future coalition

Nick Clegg would be removed as chairman of the home affairs committee under the plansGetty Images

Influential Conservative MPs are drawing up plans to cap the number of Liberal Democrat ministers in a future coalition and block Nick Clegg from running a key government committee, The Times has learnt.

The executive of the 1922 Committee, which represents Tory backbenchers, is drafting a list of demands for negotiations with the Lib Dems after the general election.

Mr Clegg would be removed as chairman of the home affairs committee and Lib Dem ministers would be limited to ten compared with the present 18.

Mr Clegg has used his position to block key Tory policies on counterterrorism and childcare reform, which has led many ministers who rely on the committee, particularly past and present education ministers, to demand that he never chairs it again.

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